John Ball Zoo’s ‘feisty, confident’ lioness dies
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Abena, the female lion at John Ball Zoo, has died, the zoo shared on Wednesday.
The zoo says Abena had been dealing with arthritis and mobility challenges, but a monthly injection offered her comfort for a while.
“Over the weekend, the animal care team felt that the medications were no longer enough to keep her moving comfortably and made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her,” John Ball Zoo wrote in a Facebook post. “The animal care team worked hard to ensure Abena stayed as comfortable, healthy, and happy as she could for as long as she could.”
Days before, the zoo shared that Abena — who was less than a month away from turning 18 — was receiving special medical care. Seventeen years is the median life expectancy for an African lion, the zoo said.
Born in 2006, Abena came to Grand Rapids from San Diego soon after alongside her sister, Bakari, who died in 2019 after a battle with cancer.
African lion at John Ball Zoo dies after cancer battle
Abena was the more aggressive sibling, known by zookeepers as “a true lioness with quite a temper,” according to the zoo’s website.
John Ball Zoo says Abena bonded with Kiume, a male lion who came to Grand Rapids in 2012. The two could often be seen relaxing together.
“(Abena) will always be remembered for her feisty and confident personality,” the zoo wrote. “Abena was a very special cat who loved to spend time lounging in the sun. She will be very missed.”
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